"---Thank you for your patronage."
After giving farewell to us, the Manager of the Valkyries' left and went back to his post.
Looking perplexedly at the young man in front of me, I am overwhelmed with his willful actions earlier.
Few Minutes ago,
"---Master, who is this girl? Is she part of the slaves?"
Standing in front of my cell like room, the young man asked the Manager of the Valkyries'.
"Hm? She? Well, she is indeed one of the slaves but... Newbie, I don't recommend her you know. She is as cold as ice! Although acting cold is also some kind of beauty that can give birth to those known "Ice Cold Beauties", this one is not any---"
"Why is she in this state? What happened to her?" ---asked by the young man with interest to the Manager.
"---You know Newbie, I'm doing this for your sake, listen. Nothing good will come out if you choose this woman as your Valkyrie. With a decapitated hand, she will not be useful as you think---"
"What happened to her?"
"---Newbie---"
"What happened to her?"
"---New---"
"What happened to her?"
"--- *Sigh*... Well, it's your choice, not mine. As far as I can remember, she is already in this state when she got here.
Do you know what kind of rumors are running around with this woman?
Tell you what, a Tier V and a Tier IV with an Alchemist Framing Order came and tried to heal her but... they were not successful at all.
No matter how hard they try, they can't heal even a little bit scratch on her face. She was rumoured as a Witch. There were also stories that she is also cursed or she received a divine punishment for doing evil deeds, though, I don't even know myself how did those rumors sprout out like beans.
Oh, one more thing, she usually sits crossed legged most of the time, doing meditation and silent throughout the day.
She rarely speaks and avoids eye to eye contact.
What's more than that is, she never covers her face even with that kind of appearance!
It's as if she doesn't have any shame at all or even likes her own---
Ahm, ahm,... Although she does have clean hygiene and wears normal clothing like your usual girl, she acts like she never mind being scorned by everyone around her, which is really perplexing---"
... This manager... he really knows how to talk huh...
"Had there been any previous owner of her?"
"--- You know Newbie, can you please let me finish first?---
Nah, whatever.
Nope, none. Do you really think there would be someone who will choose her? As I've said earlier, her left hand is decapitated. That alone is a disadvantage for your needs. Another would be her appearance, would someone like to walk together with her in the streets? Even if you don't mind her appearance, the public opinion of the society will always---"
"Hey, what's your name?" ---is what the young man said to me.
"---Kid, just what is wrong with you? Your as if like a puppet!" ---said by the Manager with twitching eyebrows.
"... Don't you think it's an etiquette to state your name first before you ask someone else's name?" ---I replied.
"... Oh, sorry, my bad. I'm Ray. Just... Ray. What's yours?"
"... None. I don't have any." ---I replied.
As my family already discarded me, what's the worth of keeping a name that they gave? To rub salt on my wounds? ---I thought.
Just as I was about to say an alternate name from now on... Ray named me.
Even though within his eyes, it seems like he guessed that I'm lying, he still gave me a name and never dwell on the fact that I lied.
"Well, if you don't want to say your name, I'll call you "Snow" from now on." ---He said while looking at my dirty white, uneven, scattered and rough hair.
"Master, I choose her. Can I ask for a cape and a hood to cover her appearance? As for the clothes... Any clothes that will cover her whole body will do but... I think long sleeved clothes will be better? Anyway, Master, is it possible?"
... This is bad, I've already enjoyed my time here, alone, leveling my Tier, adding that I'm at my crucial point of breakthrough to another Tier... I can't leave here right now and serve this young man as his Valkyrie!
The time loss is too much of a waste!
".... Newbie, do you perhaps have... eccentric taste?"
"Ah, give her change of clothes as well. Is it possible?"
".... *sigh*, it seems like I'm not getting through you. Alright, alright, you can have her. The cape with hood, I'll just give it to you as a service. As for the clothes... she can just take the clothes she owns with her right now.
Hey, newbie, I just want to ask, why did you choose her of all the slaves here? No one besides you even took a glance at her the entire time she is here you know? Just why---"
"INSTINCT!"
"..... What instinct?"---asked by the Manager, who is taken aback by the Ray's immediate reply.
"OTAKU INSTINCT!" ---Ray replied with a lot of seriousness within his eyes.
.... What instinct is he talking about?
"... I-I see, so-so... your one of those guys huh....
Why do I feel like I'm not shocked why you chose her anymore?" ---Said by the Manager confusedly and at the same time, convinced.
Eh...? The Manager knows what instinct is that...?
This is the first time I have heard of that kind of "Instinct"!
The Manager left both of us alone, Ray and I, and took some paperworks within his office.
It seems like he is already doing the paperwork of the contract.
"Hey, Snow, do you still have your parents, friends, relatives... lover?"---Ray asked.
Silence! Please be silent!
I am currently and urgently thinking how to decline---
Hm....? Eh...?
What's wrong with this young man?
He suddenly trembled with unease when he spoke the word "lover".
Although it's not obvious to normal people, his actions were still caught by me.
Is he perhaps... Nah, impossible. Who would fall in love with me at first sight in my current appearance? If it's from before, I can understand but---
... Maybe, he is asking... If I have a lover, he won't choose me as his Valkyrie?
Judging from his appearance and actions, he doesn't have experience with women.
Although I, myself, doesn't have a lover, someone I admired, or even much less to have any experience with any man, I have talked a lot with countless fellow women already in my younger days, giving me several points on how to judge a man with experience and those who don't.
... Well, i-it's not my fault why I didn't had any romantic experience in my younger days. It's just that... It can't be helped.
Yes, it can't be helped.
Because of my parents and everyone's high expectations towards me, I worked hard on meeting up their expectations they had.
I never had the time to have a romantic experience at all!
Anyway, if he is basically inexperienced... Is he one of those guys who prefer inexperienced women as well...? or the other way?
Hm, the former is the most possible.
He looks too innocent to cater for experienced women.
Anyway, if he really is, in addition to my current crucial point of breaking through to the next Tier... I just have to lie and answer "Yes", he will certainly leave me alone.
Oh, if we also add his choosy personality... Lying about having a lover or even make a dirty history out of it... I guess he will certainly brush of the idea of taking me as his Valkyrie.
... Wait a minute, what did he call me earlier?
Did he just casually call me "Snow" as if we are close...?
Have I ever agreed to be called that way?!
No!
"My family already died years ago. Because of my appearance, I didn't able to get even a single friend. As for a Lover... Yes, I, at least had 10 lovers before. Because of jealousy of my past men that I broke up with, they----- In short, they are the ones who are the cause of my current appearance.
Please don't call me "Snow" as well, I don't recall agreeing to be called that way."
Hmph, how's that?!
Even I, myself, am shocked on the story I made up.
"Great!" ---Ray replied with sparkling eyes.
..... It seems like I failed to grasp his nature.
Is this the difference between theoretical and practical knowledge?
Just where did I go wrong with my speculation?!--- Or so I thought until he said this to me.
"Snow, you really love to lie with straight eyes."
I've already said before.... Don't call me "Snow" as if we are close!
..... Wait, now that he mentioned it, I just realized myself that both of us were looking at with each other from eye to eye.
This is bad! I've made such a huge mistake! Why did I made an eye to eye contact with him!--- is what I thought as if I am already done for.
"Newbie, come here and file the all these papers."
"Wait a minute. I'll be back. Master, what is it?"---Said by Ray with enthusiasm.
"Don't "What" me. Sign the contract."
*Sigh*... Is there no other way I can make him give up on me?
What's more than that... his ability to observe is not normal!
Looking at Ray's leaving silhouette, I narrowed my eyes and thought: "Just do something unnecessary that is not within the contract and I'll absolutely make you regret it"
This is bad, my breakthrough to another Tier will be delayed!
... No, I won't give up!
Enhancing my hearing ability through [Physical Enhancement], I listened to the conversation between the Manager of the Valkyries' and Ray.
If I could at least know a trait that that young man hates... I can use it as a weapon for him to give up on me!
"---Newbie, you know what... Choosing her as your Valkyrie is not a good idea. You should be well informed that once you choose your Valkyrie, you and your Valkyrie will be all on your own.
Once you left here in this place, you will have to slay some slimes immediately nearby to gain some fortune.
Although we, players, can log-out, our Valkyries needs a place to stay. You get what I mean?"
What is the Manager talking about...?
"With that woman's decapitated left hand---"
"Snow... Her name is Snow, don't call her a woman as if she doesn't have a identity."
"... Newbie, your eyes are scaring me... please don't look at me with eyes like daggers."
"Eh...? I-is that so... I'm sorry."
"Well, it seems like you did it unconsciously... Don't worry, I'm not offended at all. You seem to be too overprotective with that---- Ahm, Ahm, with Snow. But, regardless of your fetish or likes. I will once again remind you. With such decapitated left hand, do you think she can be any useful on fighting some low leveled monsters or even Demon Tier Beasts out there?
As you already know, only Tier I slaves are here in my shop. Although there are indeed news that Tier II or even Tier III mixed sometimes in our shops, the probability on obtaining them is slim. It's as if you won a jackpot 3 times in a week if you manage to have one!
Even I, myself, don't know which one of these girls are Tier II you know?----"
Eh...? There were women like me who is also hiding their Tiers...? I never knew that...
"----Until you can level up your Tier on your own, your Valkyrie will be the source of all your income and all needs you two need.
Do you think, Snow, can take care of you and her needs?
Even if we put that Snow might be a Tier II Valkyrie, that's another story with problems but... If she is just your regular Tier I Valkyrie, with her decapitated left hand---"
"Ah, about that, I already have a plan in mind. There is no need to worry."
"Hm? A plan in mind? Don't tell me, are willing to do that?"
"Yeah, it is that."
"..... So, your resolved to even do that huh... Don't you have any pride at all?"
"Well, it's just a game, why won't I do it if I can gain some fortune to sustain my needs? Especially, my Valkyries' needs. What's more, it's not like I'll stay doing it forever."
"---Game huh... Well, I can only say, good luck. I'll give you a cape and a hood as well to cover your appearance. I'll even give you tight black suits.
If your going to do that... the public opinion of the people around you will absolutely fell down like how deep Mariana Trench is. At the very least, you can cover your appearance."
"Thank you very much, Master but... If I do that, doesn't it look like I'm a little suspicious?"
"... Now that you mentioned it, it really is. You will look like a thief."
What are they talking about?
"Anyway, I will still receive those cape with hood. As the tight black suits... I'll decline. Hey, Master, I have another request. Would you like to hear it?"
"Having experienced your insistence earlier, would I even thought of declining? What is it?"
"Hehe, I want you to lend me some money."
"... Newbie, are you kidding me?"
"Nope"
"HAHAHA, Newbie, have you hit your head somewhere before coming here? Is there an game that lends currency of the game? Let's give an example, if there is a gacha like supply traits in the game, can you just press "roll" and "roll" until the currency you have reached "negative" numbers and stop when you win the prize?"
"No, of course there is not. But, that doesn't mean that there is no such thing in this game, Valkyries' Attacks."
".... What makes you say so?"
"Well, who knows... Anyway, I only ask you to lend me 1 gold coin. I'll give you 2 gold coins in a week. How's that?"
"..... Newbie, are you serious? In a week, that's 100% interest you know?"
"Do I look like I am kidding?"
".....Ok, deal. But, how do you plan on repaying if you can't pay me 2 gold coins exactly in this week?"
"I'll pay you a real money instead, of course."
"Real money huh... Sorry Newbie. No, that can't do."
"Eh?! Why not?!"
"Well... Anyway, I won't receive anything that is not within the currency in the game."
"..... Now, that's unexpected. Well, ok, just lend me 1 silver coin then."
"..... Are you really ok newbie? You still want me to lend you money after hearing that? You can't pay me with real money you know?"
"I'm fine, I'm fine. If it's paying silver coins, I can manage but a gold coin... I don't have the confidence."
"..."
"..... Ok, I'll give you 3 silver coins in a week. Just lend me 1 silver coins for now. How about that?"
"Kid, have you ever experienced being in debt?"
"Debt? No."
"I see, I won't lend you any."
".... Eh?"
Well, quite obvious. Is this young man, Ray, one of those dumb people?
If you haven't experienced being in debt... You don't know how terrifying it is.
With how carefree his tone on asking for money, I bet he doesn't know what he is currently saying.
"Why is it Master? You were willing to lend me a gold coin earlier but... why did you just back down now?'
"*Sigh*, when you get older, you'll understand."
"... Seriously?"
"Yes."
"...It can't be helped. Master, please, lend me some coins! At least 10 copper coins will do!"
"Seriously... You don't have to bow down your head you know?---
Ah, fine already, here are your 10 copper coins. Stop bowing your head, D*mn it."
"Thank you very much Master! I'll absolutely pay you 1 silver coin in a week!"
"... Are you really ok in your head kid?"
... What a boastful mouth. Doesn't this young man, Ray, know the conversion unit of currencies?
Sigh... I have to serve as his aide until he reaches Tier III? I seem to see a dark future ahead of me!
He is also a man who doesn't have pride at all!
How can he just lower his head just like that?!
"Newbie, do you know that 1 copper coin worths 100 porcelain coins?"
"Yes."
"Eh... Then continue the continue the conversion unit to platinum coins."--- said by the Manager as if he is a curious baby.
... What an idiot. This young man, Ray, is really an idiot.
He really fell on that simple trap?
Ah, I'm frustrated to look after this kind of people.
Is my luck really that bad?
I wish a woman should have chosen me as her Valkyrie instead of a man.
"There are 5 basic currencies in Valkyries' Attacks. From lowest value to the highest, they porcelain coins, copper coins, silver coins, gold coins and platinum coins. Although there are currencies above platinum coins... I think this city is incapable of circulating such big amount, and so, I'll omit it.
There is no point in explaining and knowing something that will not be useful after all.
Anyway, the conversation unit of porcelain coins to copper coins is 100:1.
As for the copper coins to silver coins, it is 500:1.
For the silver coins to gold coins, it is 1000:1.
Finally, gold coins to platinum coins is about 5000:1
Of course, I know that the interest of what I am paying is roughly about 5000%.
Well, this are the standard conversion unit.
In the third layer of the city, which is the outer most area and black market, there were cases that silver coins is much greater in value than platinum coins. Anyway, that's another story.
Is there any mistake, Master?"
... From the way Ray explained the conversion values, he is trying to take back some trust from the manager...
Interesting.
If he is really knows what he is doing and still asks for the Manager to lend him some money... He does have quite some confidence on repaying what he owed.
..... Wait a minute, there is something I can't understand.
In the first place, is Ray perhaps... doesn't he have any money at all?!
Why is he trying so hard for the Manager to lend him some money if he isn't...?
As his aide later... I'll have to be responsible for him... If he is poor... Maybe, most likely, I'll be doing everything.
Ah... So, I had a poor Master huh... Quite a misfortune!
"---Eh, Master. Why are you giving me 10 Silver coins?"
....Hm? Just what is happening?
"Just give me about 30 silver coins in a week by now. And that's that."---Said by the Manager in a serious tone.
Eh...? Did the Manager just lent 10 Silvers to the young man, Ray?
Why...?
Just what did I miss in the conversation earlier?!
"Thank you very much, Master. I'll absolutely not forget this favor."---Said by Ray gratefully to the Manager.
Just what did I miss earlier?!
"Your really eccentric. You still view this act of mine as giving you a favor? Anyway, now that I've lent you some money in this game. Your already in debt, right? Is this considered as your first time being in debt now?"
"I am already in debt? Haha, you've got to be kidding me Master. I am 'only' in debt if I can't pay what I owed on the due date.
Hm, let's see, it's 5:15 already, seven days by now, the latest I will pay what I owed will be at 5:15."
"Haha, I thought your inexperienced but... you have some quite a confidence there Newbie. I like those eyes of yours."
"... Master, I'm really sorry but... My orientation is normal. I prefer girls. I'm not into Middle-aged man with bald head and long beard."
"This b*stard---!!!"
..... What happened...? How did the outcome suddenly went that way?!
Why did it come down to the point that the Manager suddenly lent 10 silver coins to Ray?!
It's incomprehensible!
"Hey, Master, I know that it's late but... I haven't asked your name yet. I'm Ray."
"... Newbie, sorry but my orientation is normal. I prefer woman with mature and curvy body."
"I'm sorry earlier Master."
"HAHA, I'm liking you more and more. Your quite honest!"
".... Master, I feel like my chastity is in danger... Can I leave with my Valkyrie now?"
"This b*st*rd!!! Wait!"
"No! Please, don't! Anything but that!"---cried out by Ray in a girly manner.
..... Just what the heck are they doing?
"Kid, I'm serious here."
"I'm sorry."
"Hey, Newbie, I want to ask, what will you do after you this?"
"What will I do? Well, I will look for some Inn to stay. Why?"
"..... What and where is the Inn will you be looking for? First Layer of the Spear City? Second, Third?"
"Master, your creeping me out the way you ask that. Will you perhaps----!!!
I'm sorry, I'm just kidding. I'm going for Inns within the First Layer of City."
"..... You really care for Snow huh... "
Ha...? He cares for me...? Who? This young man, Ray? How?
"Fortunately, You have 10 silver coins. Inns at First Layer of the city are expensive.
Newbie, guess what, I have two freebies to give you."
"Eh...? A freebie? No thanks, I'm good. There is no such thing as free in this world."
"Quite cautious are we? Anyway, you will know this sooner or later when you start leveling up your Tier.
[Status Call], the ability to look at your own status.
[Analysis Call], to look at your targets status.
Try speaking out those phrases in your thoughts."
"... There it is! Eh....? Why is my name changed? A bug? Why is "Ray" in the category of "Nickname"? Whoa! Too many blanks..."
"Kid, I am warning you though. Only several beginners knows this [Chant], your absolutely not allowed to let others know about this. Understood? As for the [Analysis Call], don't use it on prying on peoples information secretly. Especially females.
The very downside of this [Chant] is because, you will be noticed by the target you tried to analyze. Therefore, I recommend you to use it on analyzing Materials only. Am I clear?
I repeat, don't use this [Chant] on females, because the feeling of being analyzed is like someone is looking at you bare naked. I don't need to explain what might happen to you after that right?"
"Yes Sir!"
"The another freebie I am going to give is... Choose another Valkyrie."
"Hm? Why? I already have Snow you know? Why do I have to---"
"*Sigh*..... What I am saying is, choose one more Valkyrie in my shop. I'll let you take two Valkyries."
"'..... Master, this is the first time I'm hearing such news. Is that even possible?"
"Well, normally, no. But, because you chose that woma---- Snow, I'll let you take another one. Your character is well trusted in my opinion as well. Entrusting you two Valkyries is---"
"Master, your just pushing me another Valkyrie to compare Snow and that Valkyrie isn't it? To show that there are things that Snow can't do, right?"
Eh... If he is this intelligent to see through that, maybe it's not that bad for him to serve.
".... Kid, your observation is really--- *Sigh*... Yeah, that's what is on my mind. So, will you choose? or not?"
"My answer is obvious. I won't. I'll take Snow alone."
..... Why is this young man so obsess on taking me?
"No, that won't do. If you won't take another Valkyrie, I won't let you take Snow and go!"
".... Seriously?"
"Seriously."
"Why?"
"Because you chose that woma--- Snow."
"*Sigh*... It can't be helped. I can't believe that I'll have to take care of two women. This is bad. I am not confident."
Oh, I see, so that's why he is declining on taking two Valkyries...
He is worried if he can---
Hm? Wait a minute, take care of two Valkyries...?
"Eh...? Hey, kid, are you perhaps thinking of---"
"Yeah, I am a man. I do the work."
".... It's cool if you say that but you should know that your powerless at this point---"
"Master, I'll take the little girl around the left corner beside that blonde and curvy beauty over there."
Unconsciously, looking at the left corner beside the blonde woman with curvy body, I saw a little girl about 13-14 years old.
This b*st*rds! ---I cursed.
Are they thinking of making a little girl with that young age as a Valkyrie?!
Just what can a little girl like her do?!
..... Wait a minute, her Mana frequency is quite unusual... [Analysis Call].
Shocked by my sudden Analysis, the young girl trembled and looked at me with fear.
.... Eh? I can't Analyze her?
Does she have some kind of artifact to interfere with [Analysis Call] or... Does she perhaps knows how to control Mana and interfere with my Analysis?
If it's the latter... Sorry for intruding your privacy but I need to know your identity.
..... Yes, I broke through her defense----
[Title: --------]
[Name: Elizabeth]
[Race: Beast Men: Nine-Tailed Fox]
[Order: ---------]
[Rank: Tier II]
[Equipment: ------------]
Just as I thought... so that's the cause of her unusual Mana frequency... but... How...? How can this be?!
A Beast Clan?!
How come a beast clan is still---!!!
"... Newbie, you picked another slave that everyone is avoiding. Care to tell me why did you choose the little girl this time?"
"Instinct---"
"Don't tell me---"
"OTAKU INSTINCT!"
"'... Oh boy, I feel like I am aging faster than I thought."
----And so, just like that, I, the Fox little girl and Ray, gave farewell to the Manager of Valkyries.